Red Crescent Claims Israeli Forces Targeted Paramedics with Intent to Kill
Fifteen Palestinian emergency workers reported killed by Israeli fire in Gaza, sparking calls for an international investigation.
The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) has stated that autopsies on 15 Palestinian paramedics and emergency responders killed by Israeli forces in Gaza reveal they were shot in the upper body with "intent to kill." The incident, which occurred on March 23 in Rafah, has attracted widespread international scrutiny and condemnation.
The killed personnel included eight Red Crescent staff, six members of the Gaza civil defense agency, and one employee of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
Reports indicate that the bodies, discovered near the shooting site, were in medical uniforms and still wearing gloves, suggesting they were clearly identifiable as emergency responders at the time of the attack.
Following the incident, video evidence surfaced showing the ambulances involved in the operation had their headlights and emergency lights on, contradicting claims made by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Initially, the IDF maintained that its soldiers fired upon "suspicious vehicles" and alleged that the medics were linked to Hamas.
However, they later retracted this statement, acknowledging that their prior account had been "mistaken."
Germany, a key ally of Israel in the European Union, has called for an urgent investigation into the attack.
Christian Wagner, a spokesperson for Germany's foreign ministry, emphasized that significant questions remain regarding the actions of the Israeli military, stating that accountability for such incidents is crucial for maintaining the credibility of the Israeli state.
Younis al-Khatib, president of the Red Crescent in the West Bank, demanded an independent and international inquiry into the killings, accusing Israeli forces of deliberately hiding the bodies after the attack.
He highlighted the necessity for accountability under international law, urging the global community and the United Nations Security Council to take action against those responsible.
In the broader context, Israeli military operations have resulted in the deaths of numerous medical workers and NGO staff in Gaza since the resumption of hostilities in the region.
Recent reports indicate that the ongoing conflict has escalated, with dozens killed in a series of airstrikes carried out across Gaza, leading to dire humanitarian conditions and widespread outcry for international intervention.
This series of violent incidents has prompted further allegations of violations of humanitarian law, raising concerns among human rights organizations regarding a perceived culture of impunity within the Israeli military.
Amidst the escalating violence, the number of journalists reported killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza has reportedly reached 210 since the outbreak of hostilities in October 2023, further compounding the pressing humanitarian crisis in the region.
The killed personnel included eight Red Crescent staff, six members of the Gaza civil defense agency, and one employee of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
Reports indicate that the bodies, discovered near the shooting site, were in medical uniforms and still wearing gloves, suggesting they were clearly identifiable as emergency responders at the time of the attack.
Following the incident, video evidence surfaced showing the ambulances involved in the operation had their headlights and emergency lights on, contradicting claims made by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Initially, the IDF maintained that its soldiers fired upon "suspicious vehicles" and alleged that the medics were linked to Hamas.
However, they later retracted this statement, acknowledging that their prior account had been "mistaken."
Germany, a key ally of Israel in the European Union, has called for an urgent investigation into the attack.
Christian Wagner, a spokesperson for Germany's foreign ministry, emphasized that significant questions remain regarding the actions of the Israeli military, stating that accountability for such incidents is crucial for maintaining the credibility of the Israeli state.
Younis al-Khatib, president of the Red Crescent in the West Bank, demanded an independent and international inquiry into the killings, accusing Israeli forces of deliberately hiding the bodies after the attack.
He highlighted the necessity for accountability under international law, urging the global community and the United Nations Security Council to take action against those responsible.
In the broader context, Israeli military operations have resulted in the deaths of numerous medical workers and NGO staff in Gaza since the resumption of hostilities in the region.
Recent reports indicate that the ongoing conflict has escalated, with dozens killed in a series of airstrikes carried out across Gaza, leading to dire humanitarian conditions and widespread outcry for international intervention.
This series of violent incidents has prompted further allegations of violations of humanitarian law, raising concerns among human rights organizations regarding a perceived culture of impunity within the Israeli military.
Amidst the escalating violence, the number of journalists reported killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza has reportedly reached 210 since the outbreak of hostilities in October 2023, further compounding the pressing humanitarian crisis in the region.
